Safety review calls after six-year-old St Aloysius College student and her mum hit by car in horror school drop-off crash

A top Adelaide businessman has called for a major safety review after a crash outside a leading city private school left a mother and child in hospital, with one seriously injured.

One of the state’s leading businessmen has called for a major safety review to solve chaotic scenes outside a top city private school after a major crash injured a mother and her young college student daughter.

Emergency services were called to Angas St, near the intersection of Moore St outside all-girls St Aloysius College, at 8.34am on Thursday amid reports a car had collided with pedestrians.

Major Crash police are investigating how the woman, 38, became trapped by a white Toyota Landcruiser Prado 4WD.

Her six-year-old daughter, a school student, was also left injured.

College students are being offered counselling while the driver, 51, will face charges amid claims he performed an illegal u-turn.

Adelaide City Council will now hold talks with the schools over mounting safety concerns.

A young girl and woman have been rushed to hospital after being hit by a car during peak hour on Angas Street. Major Crash officers are investigating. Picture: 7NEWS

A young girl and woman have been rushed to hospital after being hit by a car during peak hour on Angas Street. Major Crash officers are investigating. Picture: 7NEWS

Property developer and social infrastructure provider, Peter Karidis, called for an urgent safety review after he said he had repeatedly witnessed near misses and widespread chaos in the area, which is close to police headquarters and the Adelaide Magistrates Court.

Father-of-two Mr Karidis, of Karidis Corporation works directly opposite the college and while he didn’t witness Thursday’s crash he walked past moments later, which meant he saw the horrific aftermath.

“It is abysmal,” he said of the zone, which is located along one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares.

“It is just not safe at the moment. I’ve seen many near misses over the years. This is not trying to blame anyone but we’re talking about school safety and children.

“I am happy to work with whomever to make it safer. The only way to build a resilient community is if we all have to get behind the safety of everyone.”

He said he has seen motorists speed, undertake U-turns, overtake and engage in other dangerous driving patterns outside the school zone, including when children were present.

Mr Karidis, from one of the state’s leading family businesses whose property interests has included the former Tom’s Court medi hotel, said parents were often stressed to avoid parking inspectors.

A young girl and woman have been rushed to hospital after being hit by a car during peak hour on Angas Street. Major Crash officers are investigating. Picture: 7NEWS

While the college has a permit, which allows parents or guardians an opportunity to park near the school for 10 minutes during drop-off and pick-up time, Mr Karidis, aged in his 50s, said there were not enough parks on the area to accommodate this.

He called for the city council and state government to urgently address the problem, which he suggested should include a dedicated drop-off lane for parents similar to ones at other schools.

Mr Karidis, who has also posted an open letter on social media, is willing to use his development experience to help create new zones for the college.

“The only way to build a resilient community is if we all have to get behind the safety of everyone.”

The council’s city services director, Tom McCready, said he was saddened about the crash as officials await the police investigation findings.

“In light of the recent incident, we will engage further with St Aloysius College to discuss parking in the area and traffic improvements,” he said.

He said council was investigating “whether additional safety measures are required around schools in the city and North Adelaide” after a request from deputy Lord Mayor Phil Martin.

It is due to report back by year’s end.

A young girl and woman have been rushed to hospital after being hit by a car during peak hour on Angas Street. Major Crash officers are investigating. Picture: 7NEWS

A young girl and woman have been rushed to hospital after being hit by a car during peak hour on Angas Street. Major Crash officers are investigating. Picture: 7NEWS

Witnesses told how the pair crossed the road during the morning peak-hour when they were struck just a short distance from police headquarters.

The mother was rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with serious injuries. She is in a stable condition.

The child was also taken to the hospital for observation with minor injuries, reported to be a cut knee.

Acting Police Commissioner, Linda Williams, described the scenes as “awful” and a “terrible experience”

“This is obviously subject to investigation and that (an alleged illegal U-turn) will be looked at,” she said.

St Aloysius College students hit by car at intersection of Wakefield Street and Gawler Place, Adelaide. Police at scene 14 Mar 2003.

“I would say to people (drivers); ‘look you have to exercise caution on the roads at all times but particularly at schools for pick up and drop off’.”

Locals say they regularly witnessed ongoing chaos in the area, one of the city’s main thoroughfares, at the start and end of the school day.

In a note to parents on Thursday afternoon, the Catholic college’s acting principal, Nick Tattoli, said students will be offered counselling to cope with the “critical incident”.

Students comforting each other.

“Senior staff have checked in with all students on campus this morning to offer support and counselling as needed,” he said.

“We are conscious that we have a pupil-free day tomorrow – if conversation with your daughter about this incident raises any concerns, our counsellors and senior staff will be available tomorrow for immediate support, and will continue to be available as needed.

“Our thoughts are with all members of the family and with everyone who has been affected by this incident.

“It is at times like these that we draw on the strengths of our community and we thank you for your ongoing support.”

He said the community wanted to thank SA Police and emergency services “for their quick response and the exceptional care they provided”.

In 2003, three college students, aged between 10 and 14, were struck on Wakefield St – outside the school’s northern boundary – after a motorist ran a red light.

The driver, man from Ferryden Park in the northwestern suburbs, was reported for aggravated driving without due care.

He will be summonsed to appear at a later date to the Adelaide Magistrates Court, which is located next to the crash site near Victoria Square

The road was closed for several hours, causing peak-hour chaos, as officers investigated.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash, is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

School safety has been thrust into the spotlight after two Marraytville High School students were struck outside their eastern suburbs school earlier this year.

The driver in that incident appeared in court earlier this month.